MOTIVATORS AND MENTORS OF MEN

"Officers are your head, the men are your legs, but being the backbone, the Specialist Corps connects the two," shared Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Lee Sung Cheng, Sergeant Major of the 3rd Division.

MWO Lee is one of 208 warrant officers who received their certificates of promotion from Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Desmond Kuek at a ceremony held at The Chevrons on 19 Jun.

Among those promoted this year were three Operationally Ready NSmen. They attained the rank of First Warrant Officer.

"I feel great because I am being recognised for my effort and dedication to the SAF," said MWO Lee, who joined the Army in 1978 because of his passion for the military and admiration for his brother, who was an officer in the Army then.

MWO Lee had served at SISPEC (School of Infantry Specialists) for three years prior to his current appointment and he was responsible for combat training in the Basic Section Leader course, as well as the Advanced Section Leader course.

This year, MWO Lee is part of an elite group of six, who rose to the rank of Senior Warrant Officer (SWO). The promotions will take effect from 1 Jul.

So exactly why are warrant officers considered to be the "backbone of the SAF" ?

Naval diver Second Warrant Officer (2WO) Chan Mun Hong commented: "Officers have a faster transfer of appointment...we stay around for a longer time and because of this experience, we sometimes have greater ground knowledge in certain areas."

"We have a firm understanding of what is needed and so can train our men sufficiently and work in sync with the officer corps," he told cyberpioneer.

Needless to say, being a trainer in the SAF requires you to be able to motivate and mentor men under your command.

"Working together with me, rank is never an issue. We work together as brothers, giving each other the due respect," explained 2WO Chan.

"I would say the most important thing is leading by example. If I can, I always do something first so as to show my men that it is possible."

Having trained with the US Navy SEALS in 1999, 2WO Chan is a hardened athlete and takes part in the Singapore Biathlon every year. He also trains his men for the event and they came in second for the event this year.

2WO Chan believes that through training for the event, the men have grown closer to each other.

MWO Lee also shared his approach to mentorship: "We strongly believe in being role models. From the way we carry ourselves and demonstrate leadership, we hope our men look up to us. Motivation is really about having a heart. Through honesty and care for our men and through treating them as individuals, we can connect with them better."

Even as their roles and responsibilities as combat trainers have expanded to include appointments such as chief trainers and heads of training wing, their core goal to motivate and mentor the men remains unchanged.

Combining the wealth of knowledge they possess with the intuition and tenacity that comes with experience, warrant officers have certainly proven themselves to be able leaders.

19 Jun 09 - SAF Promotes 208 Warrant Officers
19 Jun 09 - News Video: SAF Promotes 208 Warrant Officers